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Pricci's Free Daily Feature Race Analysis

Five days per week and every racing day during the Saratoga meet, John Pricci will provide horse racing selections of that day's feature race. When the racing schedule dictates otherwise, there will be analysis from other major thoroughbred Tracks. Check back here 5 days a week for free horse racing selections.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Accept the Challenge

With today’s problematic weather forecasts in New York, it makes sense to ship to Keeneland for the Jessamine Stakes for juvenile turf fillies going a mile and a sixteenth, and a highly competitive heat it is.

The logical favorite is the Todd Pletcher trained Lauren Byrd (3-1) who was beaten less than three lengths following a wide trip in Saratoga’s P G Johnson Stakes. She’s worked very well at Churchill prior to shipping here for Todd Pletcher who assigns Garrett Gomez to ride.

But it’s Accept (8-1) who looks interesting and his highly likely to provide value. Following a maiden score at Ellis while racing in close attendance to the pace, the Mike Maker filly suffered through a wide trip in the Happy Ticket at Louisiana Down and did quite well to finish third, beaten less than a length after making a too-late bid.

Today the blinkers go on, an effective move for the barn, she’s worked sharply with them, is nicely positioned toward the answer and Maker reaches out for Victor Lebron, the team clicking with 34 percent efficiency.

Taking Accept to win at 8-1 or greater and boxing the exacta with Lauren Byrd. Trifecta players add Dos Lunas, Silent Joy and Kathmanblu to their mix.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

All Ahead Full

Not a very sexy feature at Keeneland today, a classified allowances on the turf for three year olds and up going a mile, and that’s because the early line favorite, Boots Ahead (3-1), will be a tough out coming off the hard turf at Monmouth.

Even if there weren’t a chance for showers in the forecast, this course have a lot more cut than the one at the shore. Further, his figures are forward moving, he’s dropping from graded stakes company, has won at the distance, handles adversity and attracts Garrett Gomez. Hard to look passes even with the long awaited return of the classy Bold Hawk.

Taking Boots Ahead to win, no price restrictions, and keying him first and second in multiples with two turf mile specialists, Desert Wheat (7-2) and Kennessey (6-1).

Friday, October 08, 2010

That Darn Cat

The Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile has drawn a half dozen entrants including champion Gio Ponti (7-5), who’s coming off a very-wide rally placing in the Arlington Million last time out and probably was best given the trip. He’s won his only start on this course and, while a distance specialist, is 2-for-3 at this trip.

But we’re opting for value here with a returning absentee Courageous Cat (3-1). When last seen he was beaten in Dubai at a distance that was beyond his optimal while coming off a career best effort. Considering he was beaten six lengths, it was a very good effort.

Late last year, he ran as fast as a three year old on performance figures than many of his rivals have run at this distance. Coming off a long layup is a Bill Mott specialty, a profitable 22 percent in that role.

Expected to be close to the pace in a speedy field, he can kick--given his placing to Goldikova in the 2009 Mile--he’s well drawn inside and picks up the redoubtable P Val. Given the contentious nature of the race and the presence of the champ, 3-1 is gettable here. Taking CC to win and an exacta box with the favorite.